Hearing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a hearing device (1) comprising a housing (2) enclosing an interior space, and a loudspeaker (6) for generating acoustic signals. The hearing device (1) further comprises a damping element (14) formed by a damping mat, which is located between the loudspeaker (6) and a wall (26) of the housing (2) or a loudspeaker box (12). The damping mat has at least one damping chamber (36) filled with a fluid.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hearing device, for example in the form of a hearing aid.

[0002] Hearing aids typically serve to output an audio signal to the hearing of the wearer. The output is transmitted via an output transducer, usually acoustically via airborne sound using a loudspeaker (also referred to as a "receiver" or "earpiece"). Such hearing aids are often used as so-called hearing aids (also referred to as hearing aids for short). For this purpose, the hearing aids typically comprise an acoustic input transducer (in particular a microphone) and a signal processor configured to process the input signal (also called a microphone signal) generated by the input transducer from the ambient sound using at least one signal processing algorithm, usually stored for the specific user, in such a way that any hearing loss of the hearing aid wearer is at least partially compensated.Particularly in the case of a hearing aid, the output transducer can be a loudspeaker, a bone conduction hearing aid, or a cochlear implant, which are designed to mechanically or electrically couple the audio signal into the wearer's ear. The term "hearing aid" also includes devices such as tinnitus maskers, headsets, headphones, and the like.

[0003] Typical designs of hearing aids, especially hearing aids, are behind-the-ear ("BTE" or "BTE") and in-the-ear ("ITE" or "ITE") hearing aids. These terms refer to the intended wearing position. Behind-the-ear hearing aids have a (main) housing that is worn behind the auricle. A distinction can be made between models with a speaker located within this housing. Sound is usually delivered to the ear via a sound tube, the end of which is worn positioned in the ear canal, and models with an external speaker placed in the ear canal. In-the-ear hearing aids, on the other hand, have a housing that is worn in the auricle or even completely within the ear canal.

[0004] Hearing aids for people with severe hearing loss, especially those designed for people with severe hearing loss – usually BTE hearing aids – utilize particularly powerful loudspeakers capable of generating a comparatively high sound pressure level (e.g., at least approximately 90 dB SPL). To prevent the generated sound from affecting other components, especially the microphone(s), the loudspeakers are housed in an additional enclosure ("loudspeaker box") within the hearing aid casing. In this loudspeaker box, the loudspeaker is typically suspended by an elastomer coating and / or supported only at specific points to prevent the transmission of structure-borne sound to the other components.In addition, the loudspeaker with its sound output nozzle is connected - usually even independently of the loudspeaker box - to a sound output opening of the hearing aid by means of an internal sound conduction element, usually a flexible tube, in the case of a BTE usually to a sound tube leading from the BTE housing to the ear.

[0005] However, especially with such high-performance loudspeakers, so-called pumping effects often occur in the flexible sound conduction elements, reducing the achievable amplification. In some cases, structure-borne sound can cause feedback in the range of approximately 1 to 2 kHz and airborne sound feedback (also known as open-loop gain feedback) in the range of approximately 3-5 kHz.

[0006] EP 3 179 742 B1 discloses a hearing aid with a receiver assembly. The receiver assembly comprises a receiver and a suspension element arranged in a housing. The suspension element includes vibration dampers protruding from an outer periphery of the suspension element, and one or more cushions or one or more enclosed structures containing a material are provided between the receiver and the suspension element.

[0007] US 2008 / 0112584 A1 describes that for the damped support of electronic components in a mounting housing of a miniaturized electronic device, an elastic and / or flexible holding element with inwardly projecting support sections extends along at least parts of the inner wall of the mounting housing and serves to position, support and hold the component.

[0008] DE 10 2009 033 317 A1 describes a hearing aid with a vibration-damped receiver. The receiver comprises a receiver housing and a sound wave generator located within the receiver housing. Between the inside of the receiver housing and the outside of the sound wave generator is a cavity filled with a plastic that dampens acoustic waves more effectively than air.

[0009] US4854415A describes that hearing aid components are detachably inserted into holders that are attached inside the hearing aid housing. The holders are provided on their inside with an elastic material, preferably formed as a plurality of nubs, which exerts an elastic spring force on the inserted components. The holders can accommodate components of different sizes and are also sound-absorbing.

[0010] WO 2014 / 013353 A1 describes a receiver assembly for a hearing aid. The receiver assembly comprises a combined receiver suspension / receiver connector attachment, a receiver, and a receiver connector. The receiver suspension / receiver connector attachment element or connectors has a recess for receiving the receiver. The receiver suspension / receiver connector attachment element and the receiver connector each provide attachment means configured to interlock, such that the receiver suspension / receiver connector attachment element and the receiver connector are fixed in a predefined relative position to each other.When the receiver mount / receiver connector fastener and the receiver connector are secured to each other in the predefined relative position, the receiver positioned in the recess is secured in the recess by the receiver mount / receiver connector fastener and the receiver connector.

[0011] The invention is based on the object of providing an improved hearing device.

[0012] This object is achieved according to the invention by a hearing device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous and partly inventive embodiments and further developments of the invention are set out in the subclaims and the following description.

[0013] The hearing device according to the invention comprises a housing enclosing a housing interior, as well as a loudspeaker for generating acoustic signals. The hearing device further comprises a damping element formed by a damping mat, i.e., comprising at least one such mat, which is positioned between the loudspeaker and a wall of the housing or a loudspeaker box (in particular arranged within the housing). The damping mat has at least one damping chamber filled with a fluid.

[0014] Because the damping mat features a fluid-filled damping chamber positioned between the loudspeaker and the wall, it can advantageously absorb vibrations and / or shocks in the direction between the loudspeaker and the wall, and can also absorb them to a greater extent than mounting elements made solely of an elastomer. This also reduces loudspeaker movements in the direction of the damping mat's surface.

[0015] Preferably, the loudspeaker is supported (or mounted) against the wall by means of the damping element with only one side surface. Other side surfaces of the loudspeaker are preferably free of contact with the wall or other components of the hearing aid, especially elements not belonging to the damping element. This reduces the transmission of vibrations to other components of the hearing aid.

[0016] Preferably, the wall against which the loudspeaker is mounted by means of the damping element is an outer wall, in particular of the housing of the hearing aid. This wall has a comparatively high rigidity and, compared to the loudspeaker, also a high mass, thus enabling effective damping of vibrations.

[0017] The hearing aid is preferably a BTE hearing aid, referred to as "BTE" for short.

[0018] The damping mat has a support layer made of a first elastomer. This support layer forms at least one (or the) fluid-filled damping chamber between the loudspeaker and the loudspeaker cabinet. Furthermore, this support layer has a number of columnar support elements. These support the damping chamber against the loudspeaker, the wall, or a cover layer of the damping mat. According to the invention, the columnar support elements support the damping chamber against the cover layer of the damping mat. In other words, the support elements contribute to ensuring that the damping chamber maintains its intended shape, at least during normal, intended use. In particular, the support elements also contribute to distributing the load evenly over (or at least almost the) entire surface of the damping mat under load. Furthermore, the support elements also contribute to increasing the shear strength of the damping element.

[0019] In In a further advantageous embodiment, the support layer preferably forms a trough. "Trough" is preferably understood to mean that the support layer has lateral walls defining a depression. The support elements described above protrude from the bottom of the trough, i.e., from its "trough bottom." Furthermore, the trough is sealed by a cover layer, which is preferably made of a second elastomer that is stiffer than the first.

[0020] Preferably, the damping element is manufactured in a multi-component injection molding process, wherein first the support layer is formed in the form of the tub (with the support elements formed therein) and then closed with the cover layer - in a second injection molding process.

[0021] Alternatively, the top layer is subsequently bonded to the tub, e.g. in a kind of sealing process.

[0022] The support layer preferably has an injection opening—particularly in a wall bordering the recess of the tub—through which the damper chamber is filled with the fluid. This injection opening is sealed by a self-healing elastomer, e.g., a self-healing rubber. Optionally, the entire support layer is formed from the self-healing elastomer. The self-healing elastomer forms a type of pressure valve or "seal," so that the injection opening is automatically closed after an injection of the fluid. Such self-healing elastomers are known, for example, for closures of blood collection tubes or the like. For example, the "self-healing effects" of such elastomers are based on the formation of hydrogen bonds.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the damping element has at least one retaining loop, particularly formed from the second elastomer. This retaining loop holds the loudspeaker against the damping mat. The shape of the retaining loop is preferably already adapted to the external geometry of the loudspeaker. In particular, the retaining loop is rectangular. The damping element preferably has two such retaining loops.

[0024] In an alternative design, the loudspeaker is glued to the damping element.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment, the loudspeaker has an open front volume and is preferably arranged in the aforementioned loudspeaker enclosure located within the housing. In this case, the loudspeaker lacks a complete side surface (especially the one adjacent to the speaker cone), so that mounting using one or two straps would not be possible or would at least reduce the positive effect of the open front volume.

[0026] In a practical refinement, particularly in the case of the loudspeaker with the open front volume, the loudspeaker is arranged within the loudspeaker cabinet without a sound tube. This prevents or at least reduces the transmission of vibrations, particularly due to so-called pumping effects of the sound tube or acoustic feedback due to air pressure changes caused by such pumping, and / or the resulting limitation of the achievable amplification.

[0027] The conjunction "and / or" is to be understood here and in the following in particular in such a way that the features linked by this conjunction can be formed both together and as alternatives to one another.

[0028] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a hearing device, Fig. 2 shows a schematic partial sectional view of the hearing device, Fig. 3 shows a perspective detailed view of a loudspeaker and a damping element of the hearing device, Fig. 4 shows a schematic exploded view of the damping element, and Fig. 5 shows a schematic partial sectional view of a loudspeaker box and a loudspeaker of a further embodiment of the hearing device.

[0029] Corresponding parts are always provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0030] In Fig. 1A hearing device in the form of a hearing aid, specifically a hearing aid to be worn behind the ear of a user (also referred to as a hearing aid for short, here as "BTE 1"), is shown. The BTE 1 comprises a housing 2 in which electronic components of the BTE 1 are arranged. These electronic components include, for example, two microphones 4, a loudspeaker 6, a signal processor 8, and a battery module 10. During the intended operation of the BTE 1, the microphones 4 serve to receive ambient sound and convert it into electrical input signals (also: "microphone signals MS"), which are processed by the signal processor 8 (also referred to as the "controller") (in particular, filtered, frequency-dependently amplified and / or attenuated, etc.). The processed input signals are then output as output signals AS to the loudspeaker 6, which converts them into sound signals and transmits them to the user's hearing.

[0031] To protect the microphones 4 from feedback from the loudspeaker 6, the loudspeaker 6 is enclosed in a loudspeaker box (abbreviated to "box 12") located within the housing 2. The loudspeaker 6 is mounted in this box 12, as vibration-isolated as possible, by means of a damping element 14 described in more detail below.

[0032] In principle, however, Box 12 can also be omitted.

[0033] As from Fig. 2 As can be seen, a sound tube 16 is connected to a sound output nozzle 15 of the loudspeaker 6, which serves to conduct the airborne sound generated by the loudspeaker 6 into a further sound tube 18 leading from the housing 2 to the user's ear.

[0034] The loudspeaker 6 is also mounted in the box 12 on a bottom wall 26 of the box 12 (see also Fig. 5 ), which in turn rests against the outer wall of the housing 2. The aforementioned damping element 14 is interposed.

[0035] The damping element 14 comprises a damping mat (see also Fig. 4 ). This is formed by a damping layer 30 (also: "support layer") made of a first elastomer with a comparatively low Shore hardness and has an approximately rectangular tub, from whose tub bottom 31 several columns 32 rise as a support structure, which have an approximately hourglass-shaped longitudinal section (see Fig. 2 ). The tub is closed by a cover layer 34 made of a second elastomer with a higher Shore hardness, so that the tub interior forms a gas-filled damping chamber 36, which is carried or supported by the columns 32.

[0036] To manufacture the damping element 14, the damping layer 30 is first formed, e.g., by injection molding. Subsequently, the cavity formed by the damping layer 30 is sealed with the cover layer 34, e.g., using a multi-component injection molding process or by sealing the cover layer 34 onto the damping layer 30. A fluid, in particular a gas, a liquid, or a mixture of gas and liquid, is then injected into the damper chamber 36 via an injection channel 38 (or injection opening). The injection channel 38 is sealed by a self-healing elastomer, so that the injection channel 38 automatically closes again after the removal of an injection lance (or cannula, etc.).

[0037] To hold the loudspeaker 6, the Figures 2 to 4In the illustrated embodiment, two retaining loops 40 are attached to the cover layer 34, in particular formed together with it. These retaining loops 40 are designed such that the loudspeaker 6, when pushed beneath these retaining loops 40, is held by them to the cover layer 34 in a force-fitting manner—i.e., by means of a clamping action.

[0038] The damping element 14 is - if the box 12 is not present - glued to a wall, specifically its inside, of the housing 2 or of the box 12, specifically its bottom wall 26.

[0039] In Fig. 5An alternative embodiment is shown. Within the box 12, there is no sound tube 16 between the loudspeaker 6 and a sound outlet 42 of the box 12. This prevents or reduces the transmission of vibrations via the sound tube to the box 12 and thus to the housing 2 of the BTE 1, and from there to the microphones 4. Furthermore, no sound pressure-induced pumping of the sound tube can occur within the box 12, which can lead to a loss of power on the one hand and to airborne feedback on the other.

[0040] Since there is no sound tube inside the box 12, the loudspeaker 6 can also be adapted. Therefore, the loudspeaker 6 is designed with an open front volume, in that a "lid" of the loudspeaker housing, which would be located above the sound emission side of a loudspeaker diaphragm 44, is missing. In this embodiment, the loudspeaker 6 is shown as a "balanced armature receiver." The open front volume enables high sensitivity of the BTE 1 in the high frequency range, particularly in the speech range. Due to the open front volume, the sound outlet nozzle 15 is also missing. Vibrations of the loudspeaker 6 in the direction of the sound outlet opening 42 are thus not transmitted to the box 12 via the sound outlet nozzle 15 and the sound tube 16.

[0041] In this embodiment, the loudspeaker 6 is not held by the retaining straps 40. These are not present here. Rather, the loudspeaker 6 is glued to the damping element 14, in particular to the cover layer 34.

[0042] The damping element 14 is in the embodiment according to Fig. 5 glued to the bottom wall 26 and the loudspeaker 6 in turn to the damping element 14.

[0043] An opening 46 of the box 12 for the passage of connecting wires 48 to the loudspeaker 6 is sufficiently tightly closed by means of a rubber insert 50.

[0044] The box 12 is also made of a soft magnetic metal with high permeability.

[0045] As from Fig. 2 , 3 and 5 As can be seen, the loudspeaker 6 is mounted with only one side wall against the wall of the BTE 1.

[0046] The subject matter of the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, further embodiments of the invention can be derived by those skilled in the art from the above description within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. List of reference symbols

[0047] 1BTE 2Housing 4Microphone 6Speaker 8Signal processor 10Battery module 12Box 14Damping element 15Sound outlet nozzle 16Sound tube 18Sound tube 26Bottom wall 30Damping layer 31Tub base 32Column 34Cover layer 36Damping chamber 38Injection channel 40Holding loop 42Sound outlet opening 44Speaker diaphragm 46Opening 48Connecting wire 50Rubber insert MSMicrophone signal ASOutput signal

Claims

1. A hearing device (1), comprising - a housing (2), which surrounds a housing interior, - a loudspeaker (6) for generating acoustic signals, and - a damping element (14) formed by a damping mat, which is mounted between the loudspeaker (6) and a wall (26) of the housing (2) or a loudspeaker box (12), wherein the damping mat has at least one fluid-filled damper chamber (36), wherein the damping mat comprises a support layer (30) formed from a first elastomer, which forms at least one damper chamber (36) filled with a fluid between the loudspeaker (6) and the loudspeaker box (12), characterized in that the damping mat (14) comprises a cover layer (34), and the support layer (30) comprises a number of column-like support elements (32), which support the damper chamber (36) against the cover layer (34).

2. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the loudspeaker (6) is only supported with one lateral surface by means of the damping element (14) against the wall (26), wherein other lateral surfaces of the loudspeaker (6) are free of contact with the wall (12) or other components, specifically elements not associated with the damping element (14), of the hearing device (1).

3. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the support layer (30) forms a trough, from the trough bottom (31) of which the support elements (32) rise, wherein the trough is closed by means of a cover layer (34), which is preferably formed from a second elastomer more rigid than the first elastomer.

4. The hearing device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the support layer (30) has an injection opening (38), through which the damper chamber (36) is filled with the fluid, and which is closed by means of a self-healing elastomer.

5. The hearing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the damping element (14) has at least one holding loop (40), in particular formed from the second elastomer, by means of which the loudspeaker (6) is held against the damping mat (30).

6. The hearing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the loudspeaker (6) is adhesively bonded on the damping element (14).

7. The hearing device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the loudspeaker (6) has an open front volume and is arranged in a loudspeaker box (12) arranged inside the housing (2).

8. The hearing device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the loudspeaker (6) is arranged without sound tube (16) inside the loudspeaker box (12).

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